Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of the State's new Medicaid Redesign Web site to track the progress of reforming New York's costly Medicaid system, and to invite the public's participation in the process.

The Web site, http://governor.ny.gov/medicaidredesign, includes electronic forms for Medicaid stakeholders and the public to suggest reforms to the system. The Web site will be an integral component to the reform process, which includes the Medicaid Redesign Team, created last week through Executive Order by Governor Cuomo. The Web site will also include listings of the Team's public hearings and prepared reports.

"It is imperative for the public, as well as stakeholders and government officials, to be part of the process of reforming the State's Medicaid system, and this Web site will help make that happen," Governor Cuomo said. "The Web site will be a component to developing our plan to reign in Medicaid costs without compromising care."

The Medicaid Redesign Team has been tasked by Governor Cuomo to find ways to reduce costs and increase quality and efficiency in the Medicaid program for the upcoming 2011-12 Fiscal Year. As part of its work, the Team is seeking ideas from the public at large, the health care workforce, and experts in health care delivery and insurance, economics, business, consumer rights and other relevant areas.

The Medicaid Redesign Team will undertake the most comprehensive examination of New York's Medicaid system since its inception, and it must submit its first report with findings and recommendations to the Governor by March 1, for consideration in the budget process. It will also submit quarterly reports thereafter until the end of 2011-12 fiscal year, when it will disband.

The Team will consider reform ideas from health care professionals, administrators, stakeholders, and the general public through regional public hearings and the online survey forms.

More than $53 billion is spent annually on New York's Medicaid program to provide health care to more than 4.7 million people in need. The program is funded through state, county and federal taxes. In effect, Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in New York State.

In a majority of the State's counties, Medicaid costs alone account for more than half of the entire county tax levy. New York spends more than twice the national average on Medicaid on a per capita basis, and spending per enrollee is the second highest in the nation. At the same time, New York ranks 21st out of all states for overall health system quality and ranks last among all states for avoidable hospital use and costs.

New York State Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson will serve as the Team's executive director, and the State Budget Director will serve as a non-voting member.

The members of the team are as follows:

Michael Dowling, President and CEO of North Shore LIJ Health system.

Dennis Rivera is the former Chair of SEIU Healthcare and is currently the Senior Advisor to the International President of SEIU.

Kenneth E. Raske is the President of the Greater New York Hospital Association.

George Gresham is the President of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

Dan Sisto is the President of the Healthcare Association of New York State.

Frank Branchini is the President and COO of EmblemHealth.

Eli Feldman is the President and CEO of the Metropolitan Jewish Health System as well as the Chairman of the Continuing Care Leadership Coalition.

Carol Raphael is the President and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

Linda Gibbs is the Deputy Mayor of New York City for Health and Human Services.

Ed Matthews is the CEO of the United Cerebral Palsy of New York City as well as the President of the Interagency Council.

Dr. Nirav Shah is the newly nominated Commissioner of Health.

Mike Hogan is the Commissioner for the Office of Mental Health.

James Introne is the Deputy Secretary for Health and the Director of Healthcare Redesign.

Max Chmura is the Acting Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez is the newly nominated Commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

Lara Kassel is a Coordinator at Medicaid Matters New York.

Karen A. Ballard is the President of the New York State Nurses Association.

Stephen J. Acquario serves as the Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties.

Dr. Jeffrey A. Sachs is the Co-Chair of the JFK Jr. Institute for Work Education at City University of New York.

Ann F. Monroe is the President of the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York.

Steve Berger is the former Chairman for the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century and a board member for the Partnership for New York City.

Dr. William Streck is the Chair of the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council.

Elizabeth Swain is the CEO of the Community Health Care Association of New York State.

Senator Kemp Hannon is the former Chairman of the Senate Committees on Health and Housing. Senator Hannon was recommended by the Majority Leader of the Senate.

Senator Tom Duane is the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, 2009-2010. Senator Duane was recommended by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried serves as the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Health. Assemblyman Gottfried was recommended by the Speaker of the Assembly.

Assemblyman Joe Giglio of the 149th Assembly District currently sits on the Medicaid Waste, Fraud and Abuse Task Force. Assemblyman Gigliowas recommended by the Minority Leader of the Assembly.

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